DeVitis defeats Colavecchio in race for 36th District seat

Published: November 11, 2012 4:02AM

by Jeremy Nobile | Reporter
Anthony DeVitis (R-Uniontown) will begin his first full term in the Ohio House of Representatives in January after narrowly defeating challenger Paul Colavecchio (D-Cuyahoga Falls) for the new 36th District seat.
According to final but unofficial elections results, DeVitis received 28,113 total votes (52.6 percent) to Colavecchio's 25,276 (47.3 percent).
DeVitis, 47, who was working at his family-owned business DeVitis Italian Market and Deli in Akron Nov. 7, said the victory was as exciting as it was surreal.
"It's certainly a humbling experience, and of course I'm happy to get the win," he said. "I'm looking forward to serving the people of District 36 and am honored to do so."
"I would also like to wish the best of my opponent," he added. "I know he worked really hard and ran a great campaign."
DeVitis, a former Green City Councilman, was appointed to his current seat as representative of Ohio's 43rd House District in December 2011 to replace Todd McKenney.
District 43 becomes Ohio House District 36 when new boundary lines take effect Jan. 1, 2013. Ohio General Assembly and Congressional districts are redrawn every 10 years to reflect changes in population identified in the decennial census.
The new 36th District will comprise the cities of Green, Springfield, Lakemore, Coventry, most of Tallmadge, and portions of Cuyahoga Falls and Mogadore.
Colavecchio said he's taking the results in stride.
"I ran as hard as I could," he said. "I had great support from firefighters, teachers, nurses and police. There was so much good that came of [the campaign] that I can't feel bad."
"All you can do in life is your best, and I gave it my best and had a lot of support," he added. "I'm thankful for all the support I got."
This was Colavecchio's third political run. He said he doesn't plan to seek another elected position in the foreseeable future.
"I won't be affirmatively seeking anything out," he said, "but never say never."
Email: jnobile@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-541-9400, ext. 4179